velocity ?

[jgalar]

I have a cva 50 caliber kentucky pistol. The max load is 60 grains of 3F.
I don't have a chrony - does anyone have an idea of how fast this will push a patched ball?

[Super Rat]

I would guess that it would be in the same neighborhood as a magnum cartridge revolver, 1300-1400fps.

The cap and ball revolvers, using less than 40 grains usually clock around 1000fps, and that's with a barrel/cylinder gap. So my guess would be at the very least 1100fps, and probably more like 1300+. ??

[Gatofeo]

The Lyman Black Powder Handbook & Loading Manual, copyright 2001, lists 40 grs. as the maximum charge with a .50-caliber pistol and round ball.
It cites 40 grs. as giving about 1,000 feet per second with a patched, round ball. I can find no reference to a .50-caliber pistol with a 60 gr. load.

[Super Rat]

60 grains would certainly be a safe load with a single shot pistol in .50 calibre, such as the CVA. Sometimes max loads in such pistols are determined to be when muzzle blast and recoil become "objectionable".  :eek:

O.K., I'm putting my money on 1200fps.  :roll:

[jgalar]

Well, 1200 is what my wild guess was while shooting it (as if I can really tell by shooting). 50 grains of 777 2F had more oomph than 60 of 3F Clearshot. My guess is with 60 grains of 777 I should be pushing around 600 foot pounds which would make the gun a reasonable backup incase I decide to try hogs with a muzzleloader.

Thanks all

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

FWIW I've chronographed a single shot .54 Lyman Plains Pistol.

The max load listed for that is 50 grains of FFFg.  Using Swiss FFFg I clocked several shots over 1100 fps with a 225 grain ball.  

Accuracy was acceptable.  Most shots were very close or right on a soup can at 25 yards 2 handed, unrested hold.

Recoil was present.

Kinda interesting to think that "magnum handguns" aren't anything new.